Playing attachment for musical instruments.



No. 700,830. Patented May 27, |902.

H. M. SALYER.

PLAYING ATTACHMENT EUR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

(Application led June IZG, 19.01.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY M. SALYER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE FIRM OF LUDIVIG AND COMPANY, OF NEW' YORK, N. Y.

PLAYING ATTACHMENT FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 7 00,830, dated. May 27, 1902.

Application led [fune 17, 1901.

To all zoll/07a it may con-cern.-

Be itknown that I, HARRY M. SALYER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident ofthe city of New York` in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Playing Attachments for Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic playing attachments for musical instruments, especially key instruments and the like; and the object of my invention is to provide a new and improved attachment of this kind which is simple in construction, not apt to get out of order, and is reliable in action.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures, Figure 1 is an elevation of my attachment as applied on a keyboard, parts being broken away, some in section, and some omitted. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view of one of the key strikers and the pneumatic mechanism for actuating the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view of one of the compressed-aircontrolling valves. Fig. 4. is a plan view of the reversing-gear and parts thereof. Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the trackerboard or bridge.

The piston-rod A is guided in the neck A of a funnel-shaped body A3, on the edges of which the edge of a diaphragm A3 is clamped by a cap A4, suitably secured in the open end of the funnel A2. The diaphragm A3 rests on a head A5 on the inner end of the rod A and is pressed inward by a helical spring A, surrounding the rod A, as shown in Fig. 2. A block B is formed on the cap A4 and is provided with a bore B', terminating in the chambers B2 and B3, and from said bore B a duct B4 leads to the top of the cap A4. A valvestem O is mounted looselyin the bore B and carries at opposite ends the two valves O and O3, which can seat on valve-seats formed at the ends of the bore B. The chamber B2 is closed by a diaphragm O3, held by a cap O4 in an enlargement O5 of the block B, and the end of the valve-stem C rests against one face of the diaphragm C3. On the other tace of Serial No. 64,868. (No model.)

the diaphragm (13a helical spring C rests, which is interposed between the diaphragm C3 andthe cap C4. The cap O4 has a neck O7, Afrom which a tube D extends to a trackerboard E.

C8 is a vent-opening for the chamber B3.

Into the open end of the chamber B3a plug F' is screwed, which passes through a compressed-air chamber L, said plug having ducts F2, which conduct the compressed air from the compressed-air chamber L into the chamber B37 and which ducts can be closed by a valve F3, fixed on one end of a stem F4, passing loosely through the plug F and having its opposite end secured to a diaphragm F3, which is held in the outer open end of the plug F' by a cap F, connected with tubes F3.

As shown in Fig. 5, the tracker-board or note-sheet bridge E, over which a perforated note-sheet is moved by suitable mechanism, is provided with a chamber E', with which the several ducts E2 are in communication by means of short ducts E, adjustable by means of screws E7, and these ducts E3 are connected with the several tubes D, Fig. 2. By means of tubes E3 the air is constantly exhausted 'from the chamber E', as will be more fully described hereinafter. As long as a duct E2 is closed by a solid or closed portion of the note-sheet the air is constantly drawn from this duct and its tube D into the chamber E, and this suction is sufficient to permit atmospheric pressure on the opposite side of the diaphragm C3 to overcome the spring C, Fig. 2, and to hold the valve O2 on its seat, thus closing the communication between the chamber B3 and the cap A4. The spring O must of course be gaged and set accordingto the suction in the chamber E', &c.

As soon as a duct E3 is opened to the atmosphere by the registering of a hole in the note-sheet with the end of the said duct in th etracker-board or bridge the suction in the corresponding tube D ceases as the suction in the chamber E draws in air through the now open duct E2. The spring C6 now expands and forces the valve-stem O to the right, whereby the valve C is seated and the valve C2 unseated, and thereby the communication between the outer air and the cap A4 by means of the vent C3, bore B, and

duet B is interrupted, and communication between the cap Al and the chamber B3 is cstablished.

The compressed air from the chamber L acting on the valve F3 presses the same from its seat and passes into the chamber B3 and through the bore B and duct B into the cap A4, and acting on the diaphragm A3 forces the same and the rod A outward. As soon as the duct E2 in the tracker-board or bridge E is again closed by the note-sheet the suction in the tube D permits atmospheric pressure on the opposite side of the diaphragm C3 to overcome the spring C, the valve C2 is seated, the valve C' unseated, and the spring A forces the diaphragm A3 and rod A inward,the ai r from the cap A4 escaping through the vent CS. The valve F3 is seated, as the compressed air cannot escape from the space B3 and by means of a duct Y can pass to lefthand side of the diaphragm F5 and press the same to the right. The above operation is repeated every time a hole in the note-sheet a registers with a duct E2.

In Fig. 2 I have shown the rod A provided with a head A7 for striking a key below it; but the rod A can be used for actuating other parts as well. The compressed air, derived from any source whatever. is conducted into the compressed-air tube G, provided with a controlling-valve G of a suitable construction to be operated pneumatically and the construction of which forms no part of the present invention.

The compressed air after passing the valve G passes into a valve-casing H, having a compressed-air-inlet neck H leading to a chamber H2 in a hub projecting downward from a partition H'l in the casing H and open at its lower end. This open lower end can be closed byavalve H5, attached to a stem H, mounted to slide longitudinally in the hub H3, and attached at its upper end to a diaphragm H7, held on the casing H by a cap HS. Aduct H inthe partition H' establishes commu nication between the neck H and the space H10 below the diaphragm H7. Ducts H11 and Hl2 establish communication between the space Hlo below and the space Hlgabove the diaphragm HT.

The casing H has abottom opening I, which can be closed by the under side of the valve H5.

A valve l is secured on the lower end of a stem 12, guided loosely in a bore in a neck 13 in the cap Hq and attached at its upper end to a diaphragm I, held in a cup I5, attached to the neck I3, and having vent-opening IG. The diaphragm I4 is held in place by a cap Il, screwed in the cup I5 and provided with a neck IS, from which a tube I9 extends to a suction-tube J, from which the air is drawn in a manner that will be described hereinafter.

The compressed-air-outlet neck Il@ of the casing H communicates with the bottom of the casing H.

A spring K is interposed between the diaphragm l and the cap l'fand has the tendency to press the diaphragm I and valve l.' down- 'rooeo ward. Aslong as there is suction in the tube J and tube l the atmospheric pressure on the under side ofthe diaphragm l overcomes the power oi the spring K, which is gaged accordingly, and thus the valve l/ is held raised and closes the lower end of the bore in the neck I3.

The pressure of air is the same on both faces of the diaphragm H7, and the compressed air can force down the valve H5, close the hole l, and pass out through the outlet-neckl10 and tube G2 to the several compressed-air chambers ofthe attachment. As soon as the suction is cut oli from the tube J in any manner whatever the spring K forces the diaphragm I and valve I/ downward, and the latter opens the lower end oi' the bore in the neck I3, thus permitting the compressed air to escape from above the diaphragm H7 through the bore in the neck I3 and the vent-opening l, The up ward pressure of compressed air on the diaphragm HT now holds the valve H5 against the open end of the hub H3, and the flow of compressed air to the compressed-air chambers is interrupted and the compressed air in the same can escape through the hole I in the casing H, which hole is now open. Compressed air passes from the tube G2 through the tubes G3, G4, G5, and G into the compressed-air chambers L, L4, L, and L, respectively, and through a branch tube into the compressedair chamber vfor accentuating controllers F, which form no part of the present invention. The several pneumatic mechanisms, like the one shown in Fig. 2, are connected with said compressed-air chambers.

The pneumatic mechanisms not used for striking keys are and need not be provided with the diaphragm F5 and cap FG and are not connected with the tubes F7, which lead to the accentuation-controllers F, forming no part of the present invention, Fig. l.

A vacuum or rarefied-air chamber M is connected with a tube N for exhausting the air from said chamber by any suitable meanssuch as a suction -pump, bellows, and the like-and from the suction-chamber M a tube N extends to the pneumatically-controlled suction-valve N2, oi' any suitable construction and the construction and operation of which form no part of the present invention. A suction-tube J is connected with the valve N2 and is connected by the tubes N4 N5 N with suction-chambers Ml M"l MU. The snction-tube N is connected in advance of the controlling-valve N2 by the tube N7 with the small suction-chamber MT. The suction-tube J is connected by the three-way cock O, having the handle O', with the tubes E3, and said three-way cock O is connected by the tube G7 with the tube G in advance of the controlling-valve G.

part of thc present invention.

The motor OIl IOO IIO

The ends ofthe note-sheet derives its compressed air from the tube G2 beyond the controlling-valve in the valvecasing 1I through a tube O7, having` a cock or valve O8. The reversing-gear O( is operated by a rod P, pivoted to an arm P of a rock-bar P2, mounted on a standard P2, the upper end of which is formed as a valve-casing P4, in which the valve-plug P5 is mounted to turn axially, which plug forms the pivot for the rock-bar P2, having an extension P5 to permit of operating it by hand, Figs. 1 and 4L.

Two pneumatic mechanisms Q and R, similar to the one shown in Fig. 2, but reversed, serve for lifting or forcing` up either end of the rock-bar. A tube D extends from the cap C4 of the pneumatic mechanism Q to the tubular bearing 7L ofthe roller O2, from which the note-sheet is rolled while playing, and a tube D2 extends from the cap Cl of the pneumatic mechanism R to tubular bearing h of the roller O5, upon which the note-sheet is rolled while playing, both rollers having a duct h2 extending from the bearing 7L or h to the surface of the roller, about midway of the length of the same, the end of the duct in either roller being uncovered and opened when the note sheet is uurolled from the roller. The tubes D and D2 are connected by the branch tubes d d2, provided with the regulating-cocks d5 di, with the suction-chamber M2. The tube S, having a cock S, extends from the compressed-air-controlling valve G to the valve-casing P4, and the tube T extends from said casing to the valve N2 in the suction-pipe N. Duets T' in the plug P5 can register with the tubes S and T and connect them with short tubes T3 open to the air.

U is a pneumatic mechanism for operating a pedal, and U is a tube extending 'from the valve mechanism of this pneumatic to the tracker-board or bridge E.

W is a compressed-air tube extending from the compressed-air tube G to the small compressed-air chamber L8, Figs. l and 4.

The operation is as follows: The three-way cock O is ordinarily adjusted so as to connect the tubes E5 with the suction-tube J. When the attachment is not operating, the cock OS is closed and the cock S so adjusted as to keep open the tube S. As long as the cock S is thus set the valve G closes the tube G, and no compressed air can pass to the several compressed-air chambers. The right-hand end of the lever P2 is raised, and both tubes S and T are open to the atmosphere at the valve-plug P5, and the valve G is closed, whereas the valve N2 is open. As long as the valve G is closed no compressed air can pass to the pneumatic mechanisms, and consequently the attach ment cannot play. To play, the cock O8 is open and the cock S is shifted to close the tube S at said cock, and in cousequence the valve G is opened, as its construction, which forms no part of the present invention, is such as to open as soon as the tube S is closed. As soon as the valve G' .is

opened compressed air can pass to the motor O'L and operate the same, causing the notesheet to be uurolled from the roller O2 and upon the roller O5. As the suction apparatus is being worked and as the valve N2 is open, there is suction in all the suction-chambers, and in consequence thereof the valve I is held in raised position land the valve H5 is lowered,permitting the compressed air to pass to the various mechanisms, as the valve H5 when lowered closes the hole I. As the notesheet passes over the tracker-board the several pneumatic mechanisms are operated in proper order until the end of the tune is reached, and thereby the duct h5 in the roller O2 exposed to the atmosphere. The atmospheric air passes through the tube D to the valve mechanism of the pneumatic mechanism Q, which is thus operated, and thereby the left-hand end of the lever P2 is thrown up and the winding-gear reversed, so as to reroll the tune-sheet from the roller O3 upon the roller O2. Atthe same time the tubes S aud T are closed at the plug P5, the former, however, without effect, as the tube S has already been closed by the cock S; but by the closing of the tube T the main suction-valve N2 is closed, thus causing the valve I' to belowered and the valve H5 to be raised, thus cutting off compressed air from all the compressed-air chambers. The construction of this valve, which forms no part of the present invention, is such as to close when the tube T is closed. \Vhen the tune-sheet is rerolled upon the roller O2, the duct h5 in the roller OS becomes exposed and atmospheric air can pass to the valve mechanisms of the pneumatic mechanism R and the righthand end of the lever P2 is thrown upward. Thereby the driving-gear is reversed again, and the roller O5 is thrown in gear and the note-sheet again rolled upon the roller O5. At the same time the tubes S andTare opened at the plug P5, the former again without effeet, as the tube S remains closed at the cock S'. By the opening of the tube T at the plug P5 the Valve N2 is opened, and thus all suction-chambers again brought in communication with the main suction-chamber, and so on, the tune-sheet being rolled alternately from one roller upon the other until the cock S is opened. If the cock S is opened while the instrument is playing, it stops at once, as thereby the valve G is closed at once, and thus all compressed air shut off; but if the cock S' is opened during rerolling of the tunesheet upon the roller O2 the compressed air is not shut off until the sheet has been entirely rerolled, as the opening of the cock S' has no effect because the tube S is closed at the plug P5. When the sheet is rerolled, the lever P2 is thrown up at the right-hand end, and thereby the tube S is opened at the plug P5, and as it has already been opened at the cock S the valve G is closed instantly and the entire mechanism stopped.

lf at any time when a note-sheet is partly IOO IIO

unrolled from the roller O2 it is desired to reroll the same, it is only necessary to depress the right-hand end P ol' the rock bar or lever P2, and this has the same effect on all parts as the automatic lowering of this lever at the end of a tune.

Some of the lint from the note-sheet is drawn into the air-passages, and when it is desired to clean them the three-Way cock O is so adjusted as to connect the tubes E3 with the compressed-air tube G. The compressed air then forces thelint, dust, the., out of the tubes E3 and air-passages connected therewith.

Having described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a playing attachment for musical instruments, a pneumatic mechanism composed of a casing, a rod in the same, means in the casing for moving the rod lengthwise by compressed air, a valve for admitting compressed air into said casing, a spring` acting on said valve to unseat the same and means for connteracting said spring by suction, and means for automatically destroying said suction, at times, substantially as herein shown and described.

2. In aplaying attachment for musical instruments, a pneumatic mechanism composed of a casing, means in the same for moving a rod lengthwise by compressed air, a rod in said casing, a valve for admitting compressed air into said casing, a spring acting on said valve to unseat the same and means for connteracting said spring by suction, substantially as herein shown and described.

3. In a playing attachment for musical instruments, a pneumatic mechanism composed of a casing, means in the same for moving a rod lengthwise by compressed air, a rod in said casing, a valve for admitting compressed air into said casing, a spring acting on said valve to unseat it and a diaphragm and suction-tube for counteracting said spring, substantially as herein shown and described.

4. In a playing attachment for musical instruments a pneumatic mechanism composed of a casing, means in the same for moving' a rod lengthwise by compressed air, a rod in said casing, a valve for admitting compressed air into said casing, a suction device for seating the valve, and a spring for unseating the valve, substantially as herein shown and described.

5. In a playing attachment for musical instruments a pneumatic mechanism composed of a chamber, a suction-duct connected with said chamber, a diaphragm in the chamber, a valve-stem impinging on said diaphragm and a spring for moving the diaphragm adversely to the spring, substantially as herein shown and described.

G. In a playing attachment for musical instruments a pneumatic mechanism composed of a chamber, a suction-duct connected with said chamber, a diaphragm in the chamber, means for admitting atmospheric air to one face of the diaphragm, a spring for pressing said diaphragm adversely to the pressure of the atmospheric air and a valve-stem impinging against the diaphragm, substantially as herein shown and described.

7. In an automatic playing attachment Vfor musical instruments, the combination with a series of pneumatic mechanisms to be operated by compressed air, et' valves fortlie same, means for controlling said mechanisms by suction, a compressed-air-supply tube, a valvecasing in said tube, a valve in said casing and means for controlling said valve by suction, substantially as herein shown and described.

S. In an automatic playing attachment l'or musical instruments the combination with a series of pneumatic mechanisms to be operated by compressed air, of valves for the same, means forcontrolling said mechanismsbysuction, a compressed-air-supply tube, a Valvecasing in said tube, a valve in said casing and means for controlling said valve by suction, a suction-tube, a valve-casing in the suctiontube, avalve in the same, and a tube extending from the valve-casing in the compressedair tube to the suction-tube, substantially as herein shown and described.

Signed at New York city, in the county oi New York and State of New York, this 6th day of May, A. D. 1901.

HARRY M. SALYER.

Witnesses:

OsoAR F. GUNZ, Guo. E. CRUsE. 

